Blog

When to Plant Oregano in Edgar County, IL

Oregano is a robust perennial herb essential to Italian and Greek cuisine. Its pungent, savory leaves intensify in flavor when dried.

Edgar County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,272 feet, Edgar County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Oregano to ensure they mature before fall.

Edgar County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Edgar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Oregano needs ~919 GDD — county provides 2,229 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Edgar County, IL

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Sep 5

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Edgar County

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Harvest just before flowering for strongest flavor. Cut plants back to a few inches in spring to encourage vigorous new growth.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Oregano in Edgar County, IL?

Edgar County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edgar County, IL?

Edgar County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Edgar County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Edgar County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.